Here’s the thing about being a first-team All-American at a school like Murray State: It’s not like you can hide. Everybody knows you’re the guy to stop. And certainly Canaan got more than his share of unwanted attention from opponents, whether in the Ohio Valley Conference or in nonleague games against such stalwarts as Dayton, Memphis and Southern Miss. How many stopped him? Canaan has had two single-figures scoring games all year, and one of those was mostly a result of playing limited minutes because the Racers won by 33.

Canaan has a little dash of Jimmer Fredette to him, occasionally pulling up and firing a 3-pointer when the defense is still retreating. Here’s the other thing about Canaan’s being a first-team All-American at a place like Murray State: He never made this about him. He is averaging nearly 20 points, but only four times all season has he attempt more than 15 shots. He’s a point guard who can score, not merely a scorer.

The numbers that really count: Canaan is shooting 48.4 percent from the field and 47.3 percent from 3-point range. For a player who stands 6-0—and some scouts insist he really isn’t that tall—those numbers are ridiculous. Among players who rank in the top 10 in 3-point percentage, six are taller. Only one has more made 3s than Canaan. He is one of only two players in the top 10 in both 3-pointers made and 3-point percentage.

What the numbers don’t tell you: Murray State held the title of “last remaining unbeaten” for 20 days, from Jan. 21 to Feb. 9, when that burden grew so oppressive the Racers fell to Tennessee State at home. During that period, the Racers played five games, including the eventual defeat. They’d already been drawing extraordinary efforts from opponents motivated to be the one to take them down, but when Murray stood alone, the pressure was even greater. Canaan, though, continually performed with a preternatural calm. He produced two 30-point games in that stretch, including 31 in the loss and seven in the final 6 minutes as the Racers attempted a comeback.

Murray State coach Steve Prohm says: “I’m fortunate to coach very good players and very good people. Character, toughness and great ability, the sky’s the limit. Isaiah, you’re walking out of the locker room at halftime, he says, ‘Coach, I’ve got you.’ Sometimes he’ll press, trying to make some big 3s. And usually, you can count those—at least one out of two.”